Protect Dissent and the Right to Criticize the Government

The First Amendment is one that gives United States citizens numerous “freedoms,” which colonists did not have under the rule of England. The freedoms that are given are the freedom of religion, for religion, of speech, of the press, to assemble, and to petition the Government. Two of these freedoms need to be highlighted – the freedom of speech and the freedom to petition the Government.

Freedom of Speech gives citizens the right to say their opinions on certain matters without getting punished to an extent. “To an extent” meaning that the as people are able to speak their truth, it would be illegal for people to act on their words, which is called “expressive action.” For instance, someone could say that they did not like something that was occurring in the country. However, they could not act upon those words with violence.

Freedom to petition the Government is an important freedom that is given in the First Amendment as many people may have grievances with the government and this freedom allows people to voice their grievances. This freedom has been crucial throughout history and even in current times. In modern day, people are able to express their views on the government through a multitude of ways, whether it is through print, television, or even through social media.

Protecting Dissent, or in this case, the right to criticize the government is very important. As we enter an era where social media is one of the most utilized tool to communicate. At this current moment with the struggle regarding COVID-19, protecting dissent is extremely important. At any given time of the day, there is someone talking about the politics regarding the pandemic. People have been voicing their opinions and critiquing the choices that political figures are making.

In Dissent, Injustice and the Meanings of America, it is proposed that it  is our “patriotic duty” to criticize the government. In this text, it is advocating for each individual to voice our opinions, good or bad. In an article called “Protect the Right to Criticize the Government,” it compares it to a “civic duty.” All in all, as a citizen of the United States of America, it is our duty to be able to speak what we believe. It is our duty to our nation to voice what we think are wrongdoings to hope for improvement. This right gives us a voice to the public and it gives us power.

Link: https://www.fff.org/explore-freedom/article/protect-the-right-to-criticize-the-government/